Madhusudan_Das

60 Madhusudan Das :
I could not therefore fail to form a mental picture of Mr. Das
as of someone heroic, physically and mentally. My first meeting with
him was therefore somewhat of a disappointment. He was then a small
and old man and did not give one the feeling that his frail body could
contain the spirit of a hero and patriot. But that first impression was
soon corrected by the realisation that even at the age of 80 that frail
body was dominated by a mind which was ever working and fighting
to obtain for the Oriyas a recognition of their right to an independent
seat in the Councils of the Indian Empire.
It was this spirit which had animated him throughout his life
and enabled him to work to the last, in spite of bodily infirmities
which would have daunted a lesser man. In the closing years it seemed
probable that his dream of a united and separate Orissa province might
materialise, and there was much coming and going of the younger
leaders of various parts of the country. But none moved without first
consulting their acknowledged premier. If asked what their next step
was to be the usual answer was that they were just going to consult
Mr. Das and could not say what they would do till they had obtained
his advice.
His idealism was tempered by shrewd common sense and an
acute perception of possibilities with the ability to make use of them.
He was not one of those who aspire to reach the topmost heights
but take no heed of the necessity to plan and cut out each difficult
step which has to be taken to reach them. Painstaking endeavour
coupled with a single purpose carried him to his goal, and though
it took many long years to reach, he never relaxed his efforts to reach
it. A strong sense of humour, and a very human perception of the
shortcomings of all human beings including himself, helped to sustain
him even when he seemed to have failed for the time being : he knew
that he could afford a smile, for experience had taught him that his
end might be gained by another line of approach and so he cheerfully
sought one out and proceeded to attack by it.
With his main ideal achieved his life peacefully closed. He lived
to know that his ideal had been achieved, and though he did not
actually see the new province of Orissa come into independent being,
he had the supreme satisfaction of knowing that his labours had been
crowned with success. His own task in bringing it into being was
finished. Its growth he could contentedly leave to younger men in